Duward L. Whitney, d. Oct. 10, 2012

Duward Leon Whitney, 85, died Oct. 10, 2012, at Pratt Regional Medical Center. He was born Nov. 28, 1926, in Long Beach, Calif., the son of Fay and Madgealeen Woodward Whitney.

A lifetime resident of Haviland, Duward was a farmer and was a lapidarist — gem and mineral collector, polisher and jewelry maker. He graduated from Haviland High School in 1945, and served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II.

He was a 50-plus year member of the Kiowa Masonic Lodge No. 293, The Gem and Mineral Society, and was a birthright member of the Haviland Friends Church.

On June 13, 1948, Duward married Viona Brown in Haviland. She survives.

He was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Brett Lynne Thompson, Marla Disney, and Sarah Kate Whitney.

Funeral services and celebration of Duward's life will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at the Haviland United Methodist Church, Haviland, with Dr. Jerry Simmons and Pastor Mark Fillmore officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Haviland Cemetery. A visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Fleener Funeral Home, Greensburg.

Memorials are suggested to the Heart of America Science Resource Center, Haviland and the Haviland United Methodist Church, both in care of Fleener Funeral Home, 514 S. Main St., Greensburg, KS, 67054